Book One, Part One, Chapters 1-5 Summary

This novel spans the scope of humanity before and after an apocalyptic nuclear war. It follows Swan, Josh, Sister, Roland, Macklin, and others as they choose sides in the epic battle between good and evil.

Chapter 1 sets the scene for the bombings, which spur the action in the novel. The President of the United States of America is in the Situation Room with his council, who explain that the U.S.S.R. are mobilizing for an attack. The President observes that "once upon a time we had a love affair with fire," (p. 5), and he mentally recounts the events leading up to their current situation. His council urges him to set the armed forces at Defcon Three and push the Russians back from U.S. borders, and he reluctantly agrees.

In Chapter...